Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Maritime Ringlet
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RECOVERY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE MARITIME RINGLET (COENONYMPHA NIPISIQUIT) IN NEW BRUNSWICK 2005 (Disponible en français) Context The Maritime ringlet butterfly has been listed as Endangered under the New Brunswick Endangered Species Act since 1996. In 1997, the Committee on the Status of Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessed this species as Endangered, and with the coming into force of the Federal Species at Risk Act in 2002, the Maritime Ringlet received federal Endangered status. In 2002, the New Brunswick Minister of Natural Resources appointed a recovery team comprised of scientific experts, government biologists, stakeholders, and municipalities to develop a recovery plan to address the steps necessary to protect and maintain the species in New Brunswick. In 2005, the recovery team completed its mandate by submitting this recovery strategy and action plan to the Director of the Fish and Wildlife Branch, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources. Recovery Strategy and Action Plan Acceptance The Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Maritime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit) in New Brunswick has been accepted as the best current advice on the measures needed to recover the Maritime Ringlet Butterfly in New Brunswick. Mr. Mike Sullivan Director, Fish and Wildlife Branch Department of Natural Resources Government of New Brunswick Date: February 15, 2006 Disclaimer The Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Maritime Ringlet was prepared by members of the New Brunswick Maritime Ringlet Recovery Team. It defines the recovery goals, approaches, objectives, and action plan that are deemed necessary to protect and recover the species. It does not necessarily represent the views of all individual members of the recovery team, or the official positions of the organizations with which the individual team members are associated. The goals, objectives and recovery approaches identified in the strategy are based on the best existing knowledge and are subject to modifications resulting from new findings and revised objectives. Implementation of the plan is subject to appropriations, priorities, and budgetary constraints of the participating jurisdictions and organizations. RECOVERY STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE MARITIME RINGLET (COENONYMPHA NIPISIQUIT) IN NEW BRUNSWICK Submitted to the Director of Fish and Wildlife Branch, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources May 20, 2005 By the New Brunswick Maritime Ringlet Recovery Team (Disponible en français) Citation: New Brunswick Maritime Ringlet Recovery Team. 2005. Recovery Strategy and Action Plan for the Maritime Ringlet (Coenonympha nipisiquit) in New Brunswick. New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources. Fredericton, New Brunswick. Team Members: Mona Boudreau, Ville de Beresford Paul Chamberland, Environment Canada Kevin Connor, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Marcel David, Village de Bas-Caraquet Gilles Godin (chair), New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Gabriel LeBreton, Village Historique Acadien Keith Loupelle, City of Bathurst Dr. Dan Quiring, Entomologist, University of New Brunswick Dwayne Sabine, New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources Dr. Reginald Webster, Entomologist Disclaimer: This Recovery Strategy and Action Plan was prepared for the New Brunswick Department of Natural Resources as advice on a comprehensive approach to the conservation of the Maritime ringlet butterfly. It is recognized that implementation of the recommendations will depend on availability of resources and expertise. Acknowledgements: We wish to thank the many people who have contributed to the knowledge and conservation of the Maritime ringlet over the years, as well as the agencies who have funded and supported their work. Production of this strategy would have been impossible without their enormous contributions. We hope that the ideas presented in this document will help build upon that legacy. Message from the Chair: Many thanks to all members for their comments and participation. A special thank you to Dwayne Sabine who had the task of taking notes during the meetings and who wrote most of this document. New Brunswick Maritime Ringlet Recovery Strategy TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive summary............................................................................................................3 Part I: Recovery strategy ..................................................................................................5 1.0 Species status .................................................................................................................5 1.1 Species description.........................................................................................................5 1.2 Recovery feasibility .......................................................................................................5 1.3 Goal and objectives........................................................................................................6 1.3.1 Goal ......................................................................................................................6 1.3.1.1 Rationale for goal.........................................................................................6 1.3.2 Objectives.............................................................................................................6 1.3.2.1 Monitoring and assessment..........................................................................6 1.3.2.2 Stewardship and education..........................................................................7 1.3.2.3 Protection.....................................................................................................8 1.3.2.4 Research.......................................................................................................9 Part II: Action plan..........................................................................................................10 2.0 Recovery activities.......................................................................................................10 2.1 Ecological And socio-economic considerations .........................................................13 2.2 Accomplishments to date.............................................................................................16 Part III: Background information .................................................................................17 3.0 Introduction..................................................................................................................17 3.1 Distribution and abundance ........................................................................................17 3.1.1 Current distribution.............................................................................................17 3.1.2 Former (historic) distribution..............................................................................17 3.1.3 Current abundance ..............................................................................................19 3.1.4 Former (historic) abundance...............................................................................19 3.2 Habitat requirements ..................................................................................................20 3.2.1 Habitat description..............................................................................................20 3.2.2 Current (occupied) habitat ..................................................................................22 3.2.3 Former (historic) habitat .....................................................................................23 3.2.4 Habitat availability..............................................................................................23 3.3 Ecology ....................................................................................................................25 3.3.1 Life cycle ............................................................................................................25 3.3.2 Movement patterns..............................................................................................27 3.3.3 Survival...............................................................................................................27 4.0 Threats and other barriers to recovery .........................................................................27 4.1 Natural factors .............................................................................................................27 4.1.1 Limited distribution ............................................................................................27 4.1.2. Habitat fragmentation ........................................................................................28 1 New Brunswick Maritime Ringlet Recovery Strategy 4.1.3. Ice scouring........................................................................................................29 4.2 Human-caused factors .................................................................................................29 4.2.1 Marsh infilling....................................................................................................29 4.2.2 Pollution: residential pesticides ..........................................................................30 4.2.3 Pollution: residential sewage ..............................................................................30 4.2.4 Pollution: industrial effluent ...............................................................................31 4.2.5 Oil spills..............................................................................................................31